Staying at the temple Shojin-Ryori (vegetarian food) and an experience to be a Buddhist monk
There is a Buddhist monk in the temple.
What do the Buddhist monks, who has a shaved head and wears a stole that is an original kimono,
do in the temple?
If you stay at the temple, you’ll know it.
There are temples receiving lodgers all around Japan.
For example, Zenko-ji Temple in Nagano, a very old temple built in the 7th century, is able to stay,
and also there are several temples to stay.
Different from staying at usual hotels, you may spend a day with a Buddhist monk and eat vegetarian foods
when you stay at the temple.
At first, on the first day, you may check in the afternoon, and introduce in the temple.
The temple is a place to eliminate all of worldly desires, so that there is no unnecessary thing.
There are few flowers and calligraphies to treat guests in the fresh tatami floored room.
You can look for differs between the temple and the hotel.
Dinner will be around 6 o’clock, a bit earlier time.
These foods are named Shojin-Ryori in Japanese, and there is no meat and fish.
Though usual Dashi (Japanese soup stock) uses bonitos, this Dashi uses mushrooms, sea cabbages,
and vegetables.
You’ll be comforted by steamed, boiled, and grilled fresh seasonable vegetables and cereals with this Dashi.
Even you can drink alcohol during while eating.
On the second day, finally an experience to be a Buddhist monk will be started.
In the summer season, you should go to the main hall, deifying Buddhist statues, to chant a sutra
and pray around 5:30 in the morning.
You can’t eat breakfast till done all works.
Through the very stoic life of Buddhist monks, you may feel something.
About Zenko-ji Temple:https://www.zenkoji.jp/ENGLISH/about/
【Photos】http://www.konokonbou.com/
